Microphone Recommendation
Olushola
balafon? A balafon is an African type of marimba using gourds as resonators.
I need to record the basic attack of the mallet and wood contact, and the
buzzing sound coming from the gourds.
There is a gourd under each key and each gourd have two 3/4'' diameter holes
separate by 90 degrees and covered by very thin paper. Vibrations within the
gourd causes the paper to vibrate, producing a buzzing sound. The buzzing
sustains the attack and gives the instrument a flute type sound.
Hopefully this describes the dynamics of the sound I want record. Would it
be better to use two microphone, one for the buzzing sound and the other for
the wood sound?
Olushola
Olushola
"Olushola" <bal...@starpower.net> wrote in message
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Steven Bell
My generic answer to your question would be to treat it like any other
shaker or gourd percussion intrument and place a small diaphragm condensor
two to three feet over and in front of it (aiming down at it (and you) at
about a 45 degree angle).
Steven
"Olushola" <bal...@starpower.net> wrote in message
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Ricky W. Hunt
news:rQu0c.13019$yZ1....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> I'm having a hard time picturing what a balafon looks like and sounds
like.
>
> My generic answer to your question would be to treat it like any other
> shaker or gourd percussion intrument and place a small diaphragm condensor
> two to three feet over and in front of it (aiming down at it (and you) at
> about a 45 degree angle).
I have no idea about the instrument he's talking about but I'd definitely
recommend trying a condenser first. Assuming you want to capture a "natural"
sound and the instrument has some decent transients (which most all struck
instruments do) you can't really go wrong (in general) trying a
small-diaphragm condenser (assuming it's not explosively loud and miked too
closely). Here's a good rule of thumb for mic distance and natural sound.
Walk around the instrument listening (while someone else plays it). See
where it "sounds best", even if you end up quite a few feet out from it.
It's not always where you think it would be - eg. the best sound may not be
"right out of the guitar's soundhole" or "right out of the saxophone's
bell", etc.). Some sounds need some "room" to develop and don't sound good
miked right at the source. Once you've found where it sounds best place the
mic there (assuming the room and other players, if there are any, allow for
it) and do a few test recordings while moving the mic around that general
area (well, don't move the mic while recording but I think you get the gist
of it). Also, be sure to try some other areas. Truth is you'll never know
until you're in THAT room, with THAT instrument, for THAT song, on THAT day
what sounds best (if there even is such a thing as "best") .
Tim Panting
It's not that weird an instrument. Just imagine a smaller marimba, with a
rougher sound.
Tim
"Ricky W. Hunt" <ricky...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:BSA0c.13184$PR3.382716@attbi_s03...
Olushola
> rougher sound.
Exactly, I thought I gave a clear description. Anyway, the beauty of the
sound comes from the resonating gourds, a buzzing sound. That's why I was
thinking that another mike may be needed for the buzzing sound. So you see
there are actually two sounds 1) the sound of the mallet striking the wood,
and 2) the resulting vibration of the paper covering the holes in the
gourds.
<<There is a gourd under each key and each gourd have two 3/4'' diameter
holes
separate by 90 degrees and covered by very thin paper. Vibrations within the
gourd causes the paper to vibrate, producing a buzzing sound. The buzzing
sustains the attack and gives the instrument a flute type sound.>>
Thanks all
Olushola
Olushola
Olushola
nobody
on percussion and the SM81 works especially nice on woodwind
instruments. The mic or mics you choose usually depends on your budget,
usage (type of music and instrumentation) and lastly, their placement.
Tube and ribbon mics tend to be warmer. Using a pre amp or a signal
processor also adds color to the sound. "Try before you buy," comes to
mind, if you can and experiment.
Jus Nobody
jddj
news:40435b5c$0$3091$61fe...@news.rcn.com:
>> It's not that weird an instrument. Just imagine a smaller marimba,
>> with a rougher sound.
>
http://www.portalmarket.com/balafon.html
Is this what we're talking about?
dave
jddj
news:Xns949F87D...@151.164.30.92:
> http://www.portalmarket.com/balafon.html
>
> Is this what we're talking about?
>
>
If so, then you should consider stereo mic-ing.
Dave
jddj
$61fe...@news.rcn.com:
> Any recommendations for a good condenser mike? Why a small diagram?
> Olushola
>
Small diaphragm mics are known for their excellent frequency response.
Check out the most recent issue of Electronic Musician for a whole rundown
on the value and application of small diaphragm mics.
Dave
Ricky W. Hunt
news:c1uq3t$kiv$1...@sparta.btinternet.com...
> Hi
>
> It's not that weird an instrument. Just imagine a smaller marimba, with a
> rougher sound.
>
What's a marimba? <runs and ducks>
Ricky W. Hunt
news:Xns949F87D...@151.164.30.92...
I particularly enjoyed the rock statue of the Hampton Twins at the top...I
actually thought that was the instrument when I first looked at it. And I
was thinking, "Do you bop them on the head to play it?" LOL
Ricky W. Hunt
news:c1uq3t$kiv$1...@sparta.btinternet.com...
>
> It's not that weird an instrument. Just imagine a smaller marimba, with a
> rougher sound.
>
OK. The more I read the more I had the "I gotta hear this" thing going so
here's what a found:
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Instruments/Anglais/dpbf_j_txt03a_en.html
There's a little "undulating" quarter note in the "Technical Record" section
on the left hand side you can get to get a pop-up soundbite. It was in a
band context and lo-fi so it didn't sound much different than a marimba to
me (couldn't hear anything I'd call "buzz", coming from the instrument at
least). If you get a decent recording please post it.
Olushola
That's it. But the one I play comes from Guinea.
Olushola
Okay, I will post it on my friends site.
Olushola
studio to have them sample the instruments. Thanks for everyone's input.
Olushola
Steven Bell
That's a xylophone strapped on top of some gourds <G>
Steven
"jddj" <du...@sbcglobalSTOPSPAMMINGME.net> wrote in message
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